A year ago, 23-year-old Cheyann was a strong bikini competitor with a love for social media. Then, in August 2016, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer after going to the doctor for stomach pain and a lump that had formed in her pelvic area. “When I received my diagnosis, I was in shock,” she told WomensHealthMag.com. “I didn’t think that it was real, but once it set in, I felt peace and strength. Don’t get me wrong, I cried, but my husband and I looked at each other and knew I would be okay.”
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Since her diagnosis, the fitness blogger has been super open on Instagram about how the cancer has affected her body and her fitness routine. “I have always been active and fitness is a huge part of my life,” she said. “Looking at old pictures inspires me to keep pushing and stay healthy.” (For a look at the real progress in the war on cancer, check out Rodale’s A World Without Cancer.)
I still got some muscles and 12 days till surgery- – Truthfully, I have been struggling with the fact that I’m not able to throw up some heavy weights and not being the strongest women in the gym ( I’m very competitive) – – It’s hard from going from squatting close to 160lbs and being able to curl 30lbs with ease; to having to curl/do any upper body with light weight because I can’t risk my port implant moving (it’s in my chest) and struggling to squat 100lbs – – But at the end of the day, my strength is coming back, my arms are still decent size and my booty is growing With surgery in 12 days, I’ll be out from working out probably around 6 weeks. So I’ll be starting at square one again but that’s okay. That just means I’ll come back better and stronger and I’ll also have a new badass scar – – #fuckcancer #ovariancancer #cheystrong #seattleseahawks #bestself #selflove #npc #npcbikini #ifbb #npccompetitor #bikini #bikinicompetitor #bikinifitness #bikiniathlete #fitlife #fitspo #fitlife #follow #inspiration #happiness #womensfitness #womenshealth #motivation #squat #squatspo #countrygirl #country #countrymusic
A photo posted by Cheyann Shaw (@cheymarie_fit) on Oct 19, 2016 at 5:16pm PDT
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That said, Cheyann has felt her fair share of struggles. “The hardest part of all of this is my body change,” she wrote. On her Instagram, she describes how she’s lost major strength and muscle tone, going from squatting 160 pounds to barely being able to manage 100. She’s also had to take it super easy with upper-body workouts. “I have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror,” she writes regarding the drastic changes she’s seen in her body.
This is hard for me to post… Left- Before we knew I had cancer. I was a solid 130lbs and 15% body fat. Also had a nice little booty growing back there. – – Right- Taken yesterday. Stage 4 Low Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. After almost 14 days in the hospital, a poop bag, and a major surgery; I stand at 105lbs. That’s way to small for me. I’m 5?5. I lost everything. Cancer has taken so much from me. The body I worked so hard for 2 years to get, the ability to have and carry my own child, my hair, and so much more, but one thing for sure is that cancer has not taken my fight and faith. – – I will never stop fighting. I will never lose my faith. I will never let cancer win. Today has been a rough day for me mentally, but that’s okay. I know tomorrow will be much better and I’m thankful to be alive and to see another day. I know GOD is up there working and I know he will give me the strength to fight, the light to see in the darkness, and will lay his healing hands on me. – – This is the toughest battle I have and will ever face, but I know I can do it. The hardest part of all this is my body change. I have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror but I’m learning to love myself again and I know this is only temporary. Once I get the clear light to workout, I’ll be in the gym banging those weights – – #fuckcancer #ovariancancer #seattleseahawks #bestself #selflove #npc #npcbikini #ifbb #npccompetitor #bikini #bikinicompetitor #bikinifitness #bikiniathlete #fitlife #fitspo #fitlife #follow #inspiration #happiness #womensfitness #womenshealth #motivation #squat #squatspo #country #countrymusic #countrygirl #smile #cheystrong
A photo posted by Cheyann Shaw (@cheymarie_fit) on Nov 22, 2016 at 6:41pm PST
Still, Cheyann reminds herself that this time in her life is only temporary, and she’s determined to move forward. She’s currently undergoing chemotherapy in an attempt to eradicate the cancer that’s spread to her lymph nodes—a treatment plan that she’ll likely be on for a year, she told WomensHealthMag.com. But as soon as she’s able, she’ll be back to her regular routine. “I’m learning to love myself again,” she writes. “And once I get the clear light to work out, I’ll be in the gym banging those weights.”